North American Ilelicidm. 345 



It seems to me in the highest degree improbable that Say 

 would fall into such an error as to describe a young Mrsuta 

 not only as an adult shell, but even as a different species. 



Unfortunately no authentic specimen is now in existence, and 

 no record of the examination of one by any of Say's contempo- 

 raries. Dr. Binney does not refer to the species in the Boston 

 Journal, and in the Terr. Moll, only in the few words above 

 quoted. De Kay and Pfeiffer merely copy Say's description. 



That Say's figures accurately portray the species, may be 

 inferred from the correctness of those of the other shells repre- 

 sented on the same plate. The outline figure, showing the 

 natural size, exhibits an aperture by no means agreeing with 

 that of an immature hirsuta, having rather more than four 

 whorls. 



Say describes the epidermis of H. porcina as rugose, with 

 minute, very numerous bristles. The epidermis of hirsuta and 

 fraterna is not mentioned, but the one species is said to be 

 " covered with short, numerous, rigid hairs" and the other to be 

 "minutely hirsute." In his description of H. palliata, say 

 uses the expression "epidermis fuscous, rugose, with very 

 numerous minute tuberculous acute prominences ; " he was 

 unacquainted with the character of the epidermis of H. inflecta 

 when he published its description. In his remarks on that 

 species he says, "several specimens were found, but all dead 

 shells, and destitute of their epidermis." If Say's types of H. 

 porcina were young shells, they were surely rather of H. inflecta 

 than of hirsuta. I have specimens of the former from Michigan, 

 sent to me \>y Professor Winchell, and from Georgia by Bishop 

 Elliott, which, as regards the epidermis, lead to that conclusion. 



I anticipate, however, that further researches will prove this 

 to be a distinct species. The publication here of Say's descrip- 

 tion and figures will surely induce inquiry. 



